diff --git a/linux/media/mediacontroller.cpp b/linux/media/mediacontroller.cpp
index c860abe..6257335 100644
--- a/linux/media/mediacontroller.cpp
+++ b/linux/media/mediacontroller.cpp
@@ -44,12 +44,7 @@ void MediaController::handleEarDetection(EarDetection *earDetection)
 
   if (shouldPause && isActiveOutputDeviceAirPods())
   {
-    QProcess process;
-    process.start("playerctl", QStringList() << "status");
-    process.waitForFinished();
-    QString playbackStatus = process.readAllStandardOutput().trimmed();
-    LOG_DEBUG("Playback status: " << playbackStatus);
-    if (playbackStatus == "Playing")
+    if (m_mediaState == Playing)
     {
       pause();
     }
diff --git a/linux/media/mediacontroller.h b/linux/media/mediacontroller.h
index 2a6be0c..6134d91 100644
--- a/linux/media/mediacontroller.h
+++ b/linux/media/mediacontroller.h
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ public:
 
   void play();
   void pause();
+  MediaState getCurrentMediaState() const { return m_mediaState; };
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
   void mediaStateChanged(MediaState state);
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ private:
   EarDetectionBehavior earDetectionBehavior = PauseWhenOneRemoved;
   QString m_deviceOutputName;
   PlayerStatusWatcher *playerStatusWatcher = nullptr;
+  MediaState m_mediaState = Stopped;
 };
 
 #endif // MEDIACONTROLLER_H
\ No newline at end of file